Emily was at the kitchen table, watching Margaret Whitaker slice apples for a apple cake while babbling away with such enthusiasm that Emily could barely hear herself think. The daughterinlaw seemed completely uninterested. It had been a month since Margaret moved in, and Emily was getting fed up. Her marriage to James had been happy for five years, but lately she kept wondering whether shed made a mistake marrying the son of a motherinlaw who never let her have a word in edgewise.
Emily, youre not listening at all! Margaret snapped, cutting off her story and pursing her lips. Im saying James needs a new job. That firm hes at is a joke! I talked to a friend; shell take him on in her construction company. The pays better, the prospects are brighter, and he could be promoted in a year. And you could be at home, not working.
Emily took a deep breath, trying not to let irritation show. Margaret, James decides where he works. Hes an adult.
Of course hes an adult, but youre his wife! You should steer him, give advice. All that design work, those sketches thats not a mans business! the motherinlaw fumed.
Hes a designerarchitect and hes great at it, Emily said, on the verge of breaking. He loves his firm and the work.
Loves it? Margaret waved her hands. What about the money? Theyre paying peanuts! And children? Youll need to raise them, what will you teach them?
Were not planning kids yet, Emily replied quietly, even though theyd talked about it many times. We have enough saved.
Not planning? Margaret set the knife down and turned to Emily. I thought youd have kids by now! Five years together and still none! I was raising James when I was your age!
Emily fell silent. She wanted childrenso badly. But not now; shed just defended her PhD and landed a senior lecturer post. She and James had talked it over, and he was fully behind her. She only needed three more years to settle in academia; then she could think about kids.
Margaret, assuming silence meant agreement, kept going. Lucy, my friends daughter, already has three kids, and her husbands a builder whos put a solid roof over their family.
Margaret, Emily tried again to hold her composure, James and I will decide how we live. I respect you, but
What do you mean we decide? Im his mother! I know whats best for him, and for you too! Youre still young, inexperienced. Mum wont steer you wrong.
Emily shook her head and left the kitchen. Arguing was pointless. She went upstairs to the modest but cosy house theyd bought two years ago with a mortgage, flopped onto the bed and closed her eyes. She was exhaustedlectures, marking papers, and Margarets constant nagging had drained her.
That evening James came home, looking tired but happy. You wont believe itI’ve been promoted to lead designer on a new project! he said, kissing her.
Congratulations, love! she beamed.
Mom, what project? How much are they paying? Margaret swooped in.
Its a highend residential development, Mum. The pay will go up, James replied, buoyant.
Whats the figure? Margaret pressed.
James gave a vague smile. Its enough for us.
Enough? What about the mortgage? The car? That clunker of yours is falling apart! Margaret blurted. Look at Sarahs son
Im not Sarahs son, James cut in. Can we just have dinner?
During dinner Margaret kept lecturing. James mostly stayed quiet, while Emily felt a knot of irritation tightening inside her. After the meal, when they were alone in the bedroom, Emily finally burst out.
James, I cant take this anymore. Your mum is in everythingyour job, our plans, our life. When is she going to move out?
Emily, she just wants whats best. You know shes always like that, he sighed.
I know, but theres a difference between weekend visits and living here fulltime!
Its only temporary, he tried to reassure her. Shes having the flat renovated.
How long does a onebed flat take to renovate? A month already!
You know Mumshe wants everything perfect. Just bear with it a little longer, okay?
Emily nodded. What else could she do? She couldnt kick Margaret out, but her patience was wearing thin.
The next morning, as Emily was getting ready for work, Margaret shuffled into the bedroom. Emily, we need to talk, she said, perching on the edge of the bed.
Im in a rushmaybe this evening? Emily tried to dodge.
No, its important. I think you should quit your job.
What? Why? Emily froze, comb brush in hand.
To have children, of course! You cant keep putting it off forever. I spoke to James yesterday; he wants a baby too.
James? Emilys heart raced. Did he actually say that?
Not exactly, Margaret stammered, but I can read him like a book. He dreams of a son!
Emily set the comb down and faced her motherinlaw. I appreciate your concern, truly. But James and I have already decided. Were aiming for kids in three years. Its not the right time now.
Not the right time? Margaret flared. When will it be? When youre forty? I was your age and already had you.
I know, Emily interjected. You raised James when you were my age. Times have changed.
Exactly! Once, family came first, now everyone chases a career. What about kids? Oh, the youngsters today! Margaret sighed.
Emily glanced at the clock. Ive got to go. Well finish this tonight with James.
The day blurredlectures, student consultations, department meetings. Emily was busy enough not to dwell on Margarets ultimatum, but on the way home anxiety crept back. What if Margaret was right? What if James really wanted a baby now and was keeping it from her?
When they got home, Margaret had prepared a festive dinner and set the table as if for a celebration. Whats the occasion? James asked, slipping off his shoes.
Family council! Margaret announced brightly. I have news.
Emily braced herself, guessing the topic, and hoped it wouldnt be another lecture over dinner.
Margaret poured wine and declared, Ive spoken to Gillian Spencer, and shes ready to take you, James, on as head of her design department!
James choked on his glass. Mum, what are you talking about?
Your new job! Gillian runs a big construction firm and wants you to lead the design team. The salary would be double what you earn now. Imagine that!
Im happy where I am, James said firmly.
But its an opportunity you cant miss! Margaret insisted, sliding a stack of papers across the table.
James pushed the papers away. Im not reading that.
Margarets voice rose. How will you raise children on your current salary?
We dont have children yet, James reminded her.
Thats exactly why you need to think ahead! Margaret shot back, glancing at Emily. Emily, you said you were thinking of quitting?
What? No! I never said that! Emily protested.
But we discussed it this morning, Margaret claimed, feigning surprise. You said youd consider my offer.
I said wed talk about it tonight, Emily corrected. And Im not quitting. Were still on a threeyear plan for kids. Thats our decision.
James nodded silently, but his jaw tightened. Was Margaret right? Did he really want a baby now?
Three years? Youre already thirty! In three more youll be thirtythreerisky! Margaret exclaimed. I had you at twentytwo, and it was perfect! I just want the best for you both.
Many people have babies after thirty now, Mum, James tried to calm her. Well decide when were ready.
Exactly, your life! Margaret persisted. Career isnt everything. Family is.
Emily took a deep breath. Margaret, I want both a good academic career and, someday, to be a mother. Just not right now.
The dinner ended on a sour note. Margaret withdrew to her room, James stared at his plate, and Emily felt a mixture of relief and lingering tension.
James, she whispered later, do you really want a baby now?
He looked up. No, love. Weve agreed on three years. Im just frustrated with Mums interference.
Maybe we should talk to her directly, Emily suggested.
Ill do that tomorrow. Tonight she wont listen.
The next day Margaret acted as if nothing had happened, making breakfast and asking about their plans without mentioning the previous nights drama. Emily wasnt sure whether to be glad or uneasy.
That evening, returning from work, Emily found Margaret hunched over a laptop, typing furiously.
Evening, Emily said. What are you doing?
Oh! Emily! Just writing to a friend, Margaret stammered, closing the browser quickly. The screen showed a headline: How to convince your adult children to have grandchildren.
Margaret, we need to talk, Emily said, sighing.
About what, dear? Margaret feigned surprise.
About you trying to control our lives, Emily replied bluntly. Were adults and we make our own decisions.
Margaret huffed. Im not controlling, Im helping. Im a mother!
Yes, youre Jamess mother, not mine, Emily said firmly. Weve already decided on a timeline.
Margaret shook her head. A mother always knows best.
Maybe, Emily conceded, but the final call is ours.
Just then James walked in, looking upset. My director called, he said, sitting down heavily. Someone asked about my salary and prospects.
What? Who? Emily asked.
They both turned to Margaret, who was suddenly peering at the tablecloth pattern. Mum? James asked, doubtful.
I just wanted to make sure youre happy at work! Margaret blurted. I called your boss to check.
You called my boss? James was shocked. Why?
Im just looking out for you! Margaret replied, eyes wide. What did he say?
He said a strange woman was asking about me. Thats over the line, Mum.
What line? Margaret asked, genuinely confused. Im your mother! There cant be limits.
There have to be, James said calmly, fists clenched. We have a right to our private life.
Private life? From your mother? Margaret sniffed, offended. Ive raised you all my life! Now you talk about boundaries?
Yes, boundaries, James affirmed. Weve decided to have children in three years, and well keep our jobs as they are. I wont change my career just because you think a higher salary is better.
James, I just want whats best for you! Margaret pleaded.
I love you, Mum, but we need to live our own lives, James said, pulling her into a gentle hug. Well make mistakes, but theyre ours.
Margarets eyes welled up. I just dont want you to regret anything!
Even if we do, its our regret, not yours, James replied softly. And well still love you.
Silence settled over the room. Emily looked at James with gratitudehe had finally said what hed been holding back.
How about a cuppa? Emily suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
Tea sounds perfect, James agreed.
Margaret nodded, still a little hurt but beginning to understand.
The next morning Margaret announced she was moving back to her flat, now fully renovated. Emily wasnt sure whether to feel relieved or sorry. On one hand, life would be quieter without constant meddling; on the other, she felt a pang of pity for a woman who truly believed she was doing the right thing.
Margaret, youre always welcome to visit, Emily said as they said goodbye. Just maybe give us a bit of space with our decisions.
Got it, love, Margaret replied, hugging Emily tight. I only ever wanted the best.
Emily smiled. We appreciate that. We just need to decide whats best for us.
When Margaret finally left, the house fell quiet. Emily and James enjoyed the peace and started planning their future without unsolicited input. Three years later, just as theyd planned, a baby arrived. Margaret had to wait a little longer, but when she first held her granddaughter, her eyes lit up.
Shes beautiful, she whispered, looking at the newborn. You made the right choice.
Emily and James exchanged a satisfied glance. It seemed Margaret finally understood what respecting someones choices really meant. Their family now gathered oftenMargaret played with the little one, but she no longer tried to steer their lives. Shed learned to listen and accept, even when she didnt agree.
One afternoon, while they all sipped tea, Margaret said, Ive learned a lot from you both. I used to think mum always knows best, but now I see that best is when each person decides for themselves.
Your concern meant a lot, Mum, James replied, smiling. We value it.
Yes, Emily added, what matters is the outcome, and ours turned out wonderful.
Margaret looked around at her son, his wife, and her granddaughter, realizing that this was the family shed always wantedjust a different route to get there.
